It may not be as long or as lucrative as the Tour de France, but the Kingscliff cycle ride will help promote the best cause in the world – saving human life.
Some years ago a group formed in Brisbane to raise awareness around the issue of organ donation by conducting a bike ride called Cycle of Giving, held annually during DonateLife week.
Northern NSW Local Health District has now cottoned onto the idea and is coordinating its own inaugural community cycling event this Sunday July 7.
The aim is to remind the community of how important it is to know their loved one’s organ and tissue donation wishes.
‘Many people aren’t aware that around one per cent of hospital deaths occur in specific circumstances where a person can be considered for organ donation,’ said donation specialist, Dr Mike Lindley-Jones.
‘However, many more people have the opportunity to become a tissue donor,’ he added.
‘The limited availability in Australia of donated organs for transplantation is why everyone needs to know their family members’ donation wishes. We need to make every effort to maximise the community’s access to life-transforming transplants.
‘It’s a conversation that one day could save lives,’ said Dr Lindley-Jones.
Registration is free and starts at 7.30am for the two cycle options: a 45km ride through the countryside; or a 5–7km ride suitable for families or non-cyclists along a designated cycle path.
Mid-way refreshments will be offered, and Kingscliff Rotary is running a barbecue at the finish. Road cyclists receive a complimentary DonateLife jersey, with a t-shirt for cycle path participants. The events start at 8am.
